Special Education Programs and Services
York Region District School Board has a strong tradition of fostering an inclusive, innovative and engagement-oriented community. York Region District School Board also recognizes the importance of setting high expectations and closing the gap for students with special education needs.
To achieve the Board of Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan priorities, the District Action Plan sets out goals that align with the strategic plan and the Board’s Mission, Vision and Values. In alignment with the concepts in the Ministry of Education’s Learning for All, the District Action Plan goals focus on the new priorities, which focus on student achievement, health and well-being and human rights and inclusive education.
At York Region District School Board, Student Services is responsible for collaborating with all departments and stakeholders to ensure successful facilitation and implementation of:
- a continuum of service delivery models responsive to pupil strengths and needs;
- skilled resource staff who work in an interdisciplinary approach that supports the development of quality programs for exceptional pupils;
- a tiered approach to prevention and intervention;
- high-quality evidence-based assessment and personalized instruction;
- intentional planning, instruction and differentiation; and,
- inclusive and collaborative environments where all staff, students, parents and community members are engaged as partners.
2024-2025 School Year
Professional Learning Opportunities
Special Education Training
Each year, the Student Services Team delivers professional development to all new SERTs (Special Education Resource Teachers) in elementary and secondary schools, as well as Individual Education Plan (IEP) and SSNet drop-in sessions for all SERTs/teachers.
Additionally, during the 2024-2025 school year, professional learning sessions were differentiated to meet the needs of educators, and included some of the following topics:
Assistive Technology
- In-person and online sessions to support elementary and secondary Educational Assistants and teachers with the use of Mindomo, Google Read&Write, EquatIO, Clicker, OrbitNote and Boardmaker
- Learning on universal design for learning and the use of assistive technology
Autism (ASD)
- Opportunities for school staff to support the planning and implementation of educational programs and strategies for students with Autism (ASD)
Mental Health and Addiction Strategy
- Professional learning opportunities on “Trauma Informed Approaches to Students and Schools” were provided to 150 YRDSB staff including Educational Assistants, Teachers, Principals and Vice Principals
- The Youth S.P.A.C.E. (Students Promoting Acceptance, Connection and Empowerment), a Grade 6 - 12 student leadership initiative, is now established in 108 schools
- Learning About Mental Health Presentation Series (LAMPS) workshops focused on the topic of “Anxiety” were facilitated for 3,406 elementary and secondary students
- LAMPS workshops on the topic of “Social Media and Mental Health“ were provided for 58 caregivers and families.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 2024-2025
- Seven two-day ASIST sessions were delivered, a total of 146 YRDSB staff participated in the training
Speech-Language Pathology
- Provided workshops across the school year for families to support their children's speech development at home
- Created literacy focused, practical educator key ring format resources for Kindergarten and Grade 1 and 2
- Led collaborative learning with kindergarten, grade 1 and 2 educators based on literacy focused key ring resources; co-planned, co-taught and co-debriefed corresponding lesson demonstrations in classrooms
- Facilitated educator professional development and parent learning opportunities during the Building Bridges for Kindergarten/Grade 1 and Black Brilliance summer programs
- Developed and delivered positive social communication learning opportunities in kindergarten classrooms
Occupational/Physical Therapy (PTOT)
- Provided workshops in the areas of regulation, sensory processing and motor development that support early literacy and school participation and engagement
- Supported a significant increase in PTOT referrals for individualized student needs and managed specialized equipment to support access, inclusion and participation for students
Psychological Services
- Provided workshops and psychoeducation on:
- Knowing your learner, supporting self-advocacy and using evidence-based reading, writing and math strategies
- Applying the ‘Understanding How Processing Affects Learning’ waterfall across the tiers to support teachers and students
- Executive functioning, self regulation, stress management and trauma-informed classroom strategies
- Understanding and providing strategies for neurodiversities including Autism, Anxiety, Selective Mutism, ADHD and Learning Disabilities
- Complex Needs Psychological Services (CNS) provided sessions on supporting students with developmental trauma and attachment, Autism and trauma, OCD and Autism and self-regulation.
Social Work
- Provided parent workshops on ways to support with student anxiety and depression
- Provided workshops to parents/guardians of Chinese heritage
- Facilitated Community Circles and Restorative Practices training for YRDSB school-based staff
- Offered workshops to schools to address anti-Black racism, bullying and harassment
- Offered Attendance Training at school staff meetings
- Staff Meeting Professional Development - Creating Affirming Learning Environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ Students
Psychoeducation therapeutic groups offered by Psychological Services and/or Social Work
- Affirm - a CBT psychoeducational group to support 2SLGBTQIA+ participants
- Strong - intervention to promote resistance and reduce psychological stress among newcomer students
- Trails to Wellness - early intervention support for students with symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Healthy Relationships Plus - targets the prevention of violence through the promotion of positive, healthy relationships
- Sky Lantern - an identity-affirming and culturally relevant therapeutic group space for students of Chinese Heritage
- Building Me - an identity-affirming and culturally relevant therapeutic group space for students of African Canadian Caribbean heritage
Collaborative Partnerships
In partnership with Curriculum and Instructional Services (CIS), Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS), Research and Assessment Services and our external community partners, Student Services collaborated to:
- Co-deliver learning through the Culturally Responsive and Relevant Primary Literacy Teacher (CRRPLT) network
- Support transitions of students from York Region Preschool Speech and Language Services into kindergarten
- Welcome three new partners to our Collaborative Relationships with External Services (CRES)
- Naseeha Mental Health: Offering faith-sensitive mental health crisis and therapeutic services to the Mulslim identifying community
- Canadian Centre for Men and Families: The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is a mental health and social service hub delivering programs and services for boys, men, fathers and their families. The centre offers specialized support related to relations and intimate partner violence and the cessation of gender based violence
- Your Support Services Network (YSSN): Offering developmental, and children’s mental health services
- Facilitate mental health services provided by CRES Partners during 2024-2025 for 1,094 YRDSB students. 174 students were seen for individual counseling, and 920 students participated in group counseling
- Support sessions for new teachers of students with special education needs alongside consultants responsible for the New Teacher’s Induction Program (NTIP).
- Foster a strong working relationship to support the successful entry of children into Year 1 and Year 2 Kindergarten and co-hosted an Early Intervention Orientation Evening session with our Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) partner Early Intervention Services (EIS)
- Maintain membership within the York Community Autism Partnership, working collaboratively with agency partners and community members to align services for children and adults with Autism in York Region
- Engage with EC Drury, Provincial Demonstration School, to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services' continued access to American Sign Language and Deaf Culture with Deaf adult role models
- Provide safeTALK sessions (suicide awareness training) on four Professional Activity Days for 54 participants
Updated January 2026